While archaeologists have not fully excavated the cult complex, they can tell it was quite large, as the courtyard alone was 52 by 52 feet (16
by 16 meters). Inside the complex, researchers discovered three connected cups, fragments of facemasks, massive jars that are almost as big as a
person and burnt animal bones that may indicate sacrificial rituals.

The archaeologists said they aren't sure who was worshipped at the complex, though Baal, the Canaanite storm god, is a possibility. "The letters of
Ugarit [an ancient site in modern-day Syria] suggest that of the Canaanite pantheon, Baal, the Canaanite storm god, would have been the most likely
candidate," Itzhaq Shai, a professor at Ariel Universitywho is directing a research project at Tel Burna, told Live Science in an email.

Field stone foundations at the site

Two of the massive jars, called pithoi, are thought to have been imported from Cyprus due to their design. The jars were found to contain
numerous smaller vessels and archaeologists are speculating that they were used to hold tithes. Among the other artifacts uncovered were:

a cylinder-shaped seal, goblets, chalices, broken figurines that look part-human and part-animal, and even a scarab, an artifact with an
Egyptian hieroglyphic inscription on it.

As well as fragments of two masks, one of which is pictured here:

Just in time for Halloween!

There's not much remaining of that mask, but what there is pretty damn creepy!

Why is it that they always say certain sites are cults. It could have been a site where people put together skits or acting or even entertained with
cultural dancing. I am sure some do qualify as cults. The big jars could have been for donations and may not have been tithes.

I see the word cult used often, but rituals do not automatically mean the things were cults. Consensus of the time entertainment is also something
that has to be considered. I go to some powwows and see a lot of dressing up and dancing to keep traditions going. Many of the ones doing this are
Christians. It is more of a practice of rememberance of traditions than a cult in the case of the Indians, not a cult. If they were to dig up their
museums in a thousand years they would probably be considered cults by today's standards. In a thousand years, our present English language may be a
lost language.

Because that is what people in the past did. They GREATLY respected religion and didn't fool around with it like we do today. By the way, even
Christianity started out as a cult (though technically it still is one).

I think you will have produce the evidence that shows it is something else before you are free to label it as anything but a cult temple.

The Jewish religion comes from this region. The Hebrews most likely would have been the ones using this cult temple. So you are kind of disproving
your own original point with your counterpoint to my Christianity point.

It does seem that the religious use category often seems to be a catchall for anything poorly understood but to be fair, quite a lot of structures in
the ancient world were built for religious practices and this collection of artifacts seems to comport well with their interpretation.

Yeah, I probably am disproving my original post because I am saying everything is sort of a cult. But perception is actually the issue, Christians
usually say cult to other religions and only a small number of Christians can see that Christians are actually cultist.

Yeah, I probably am disproving my original post because I am saying everything is sort of a cult. But perception is actually the issue, Christians
usually say cult to other religions and only a small number of Christians can see that Christians are actually cultist.

In Christianity the word Cult is a four letter word.

Setting aside modern derogatory connotations and secular usages, the term "cult" could be ascribed to the earliest followers of any religion. The
distinction between a cult and a religion can be hard to discern as the criteria is largely based on mainstream acceptance.

I just love the idea that anything other than judaism christianity and islam are purely cults. Despite the fact that the first one Judaism arose from
and included cherry picked bits from the previous 'cults' without which it would not exist in the first place. What an insult.

The Canaanite Pantheon poses problems for Judaism because once it was exposed it showed the linkage of Yahweh as not being the one and only
monotheistic creator god, but merely one of a large pantheon and worse than that, married to Asherah, In fact she was worshipped in the temple and
pops up in odd places in the bible as a womans head on a stick which was where - apparently - pagans use to worship her. Twoddle and yet more
religious twoddle.

It blows the claim that yahweh had the power to give the Jews the land of Canaanan because he was not the head of the Pantheon. In fact El Elyon and
other names given to the Jewish God were also taken from this Pantheon. Still its well time all this nonsense was exposed and owned up to.

I am always puzzled when one has a pantheon of gods and goddesses that man in his wisdom decided to cherry pick just one and put all the attributes of
all the gods onto one head only. I suppose its one way of getting rid of the female form but it always bothers me when men seem to strut the idea
that women are lesser or evil, it shows an utterly unbalanced psyche which is not something to be especially proud of.

I suppose its one way of getting rid of the female form but it always bothers me when men seem to strut the idea that women are lesser or evil,
it shows an utterly unbalanced psyche which is not something to be especially proud of.

Agreed. Well said. Women are the engine of life. Every man came from a woman.

It does seem that the religious use category often seems to be a catchall for anything poorly understood but to be fair, quite a lot of structures in
the ancient world were built for religious practices and this collection of artifacts seems to comport well with their interpretation.

There was an excellent satire written on this that I use to but on reading lists:

Its about future archaeologist who find a very well preserved 1960's motel.

However, religion was a key part of most civilizations up until modern times. Take a look at a list of all the activities a believer would follow if
today (and some do) were to follow all the rituals set out for the Catholic Church, Church of England or Hinduism - lots of stuff most of which was
done at churches and temples.

Whatever you want to believe buddy. It is certainly a cult. It is a group of people believing in a bunch of crazy myths with strict dogma and rituals
that they must adhere to. It's just been expanded to religion status. Sorry if that offends you, but it's true.

The face masks would be interesting to see in all their glory, bet they were quite the creepy sight! I wonder what costumes went along with the masks?

Fragments of a facemask discovered in the 3,300-year-old cult complex at Tel Burna.

The artifacts include fragments of two masks. "The burna mask fragments, both of noses, are quite interesting, because they are quite large,
although as seen in [a photo], they were clearly meant to be worn," Shai said.

"It is difficult to determine exactly who the masks are depicting and whether it is a specific image. In general, masks are known to have been used in
cultic ceremonies and processions."

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